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Tag: book reviews

FOR THE ACTIVIST: MINISTERING TO LGBTs…AND THOSE WHO LOVE THEM

If you or someone you know has been touched by the LGBT community or the larger issues that relate to individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, activists, or their families, look no further for the perfect holiday gift! Written for instructional practicality as much as discussion, thought, and education, Ministering to LGBTs – And Those Who Love Them by Dr. Lee Ann B. Marino, Ph.D., D.Min., D.D. reveals a true heart and love for the marginalized and mistreated, and shows that love through Scriptural examination and ministerial service.

Your Personal Behavior Map To Self-Fulfillment: A Book For All Families As Lessons From A Teacher, Coach, And Parent

By: Harvey D. Heartley, Sr., Forward by Dean Smith

Paperback: 230 pages

Publisher: Lee Ann and Veronica’s Publishing (October 1, 2015)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1940197295

ISBN-13: 978-1940197296

Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.5 x 9 inches

In his lifetime, Harvey D. Heartley, Sr. touched the lives of many as a teacher and a coach. With a true love for sports and inspiration for encouraging students to be all they could be, Coach Heartley made sure that those he taught and coached were touched not just as students, but as people, as well. Such is evident in his book, Your Personal Behavior Map To Self-Fulfillment: A Book For All Families As Lessons From A Teacher, Coach, and Parent. The book itself is a reprinting of Harvey D. Heartley, Sr.’s original book, A Book For All Families, that was brought back into print by his son, Harvey D. Heartley, Jr.

Written in a manner that sounds much like the advice a coach, mentor, or older friend would give to a student, the book provides the author’s life theories into twelve areas he calls “the real daily dozen:” Attitude, Relationships, Imagination, Socializing, Education, Mentality, Physical Fitness, Finances, Professionalism, Politics, Sexuality and Spirituality. Each of these areas provides information, advice, and guidance on how to navigate life through these different areas and how important and foundational they are to having a personal behavior map to a self-fulfilled life and discovery of purpose and ultimate happiness.

The advice presented in the book is not my personal style, and I will admit that, as a reviewer, I don’t agree with everything the author says or presents. Just because it is not advice I would give or follow, however, doesn’t mean that it isn’t right for everyone, or that nobody else can benefit from the book. Even if you don’t agree with the advice for yourself, it is good to learn and hear what others have to say, and I would definitely state that the book is worth a read and is worth discovering how you feel on each of the topics presented. The formatting is a high step up from the original book, and it is presented in a beautiful, easy-to-read format and font, and whether one agrees with the advice, or not, there are a few things that are quite evident in the presentation. The first is that the author clearly cared about his students, teaching, and about education. The second is that he obviously cared about his community and about making a difference in the lives of those around them. This means his ideas are worth a read, and he has a valid voice that should be heard.

As a women’s rights advocate, I took particular interest in Half The Sky because it looks at the life and conditions of women worldwide. It has been critically acclaimed and even turned into a series transcending different media. Because it was such a sweeping success, I was particularly interested in the solutions it would offer for the circumstances women live under.

The book is successful in presenting the conditions that women live under worldwide. The stories alert and awaken the reader to the fact that many women still live in conditions of prostitution, death in childbirth, forced bodily mutilations, and abuse at the hands of unjust societies. It also shows what some very special and unique women and men in our world today are doing to step up and offer assistance to women worldwide.

The stories are good; the awareness is good; the basic idea of the book is good. My major gripe with the book is that while it does beautifully cause us to be aware of what is going on, it doesn’t offer solutions to the problems. The reason for this is, most likely, very simple: most of the situations that exist don’t have simple solutions, but at the same time, I don’t feel like the book gave us much hope for being able to offer help or assistance ourselves. There was a long chapter toward the end of the book that detailed different ways to be involved, but most of those solutions involved governmental or political activism, which as a Christian, I do not believe is the solution to such problems. There were also only limited examples of faith-based work in the book, and almost no faith-based programs that they recommended for overseas assistance or activism. While I am very well aware that many faith-based programs often contribute to traditional problems, this is not always the case, and I believe it is safe to say that political activisms have certainly proven that they are not the answer, and tend to make the answer worse, in many instances, because they don’t meet the people where they are. As the book does prove that individual interest in the problem and person-to-person activism is definitely the best course of action, it doesn’t tell us how we can take that kind of action ourselves.

The book is reasonably well-written (I did find a few typos), although I would say the presentation of the stories is a bit dry, at times. It reads much like a journalist would write, and given some of the very personal and intense stories presented, I would have preferred a softer input at points within its presentation. I also would have preferred the book’s text font to be a bit larger, as it contributed to an intimidating feeling in the text. Overall, I give the book 4 stars. I think even though it doesn’t really offer an answer, it definitely gets us thinking about it and helps us to want to care about women worldwide besides ourselves.

No matter what you are looking for in life, you probably have questions about spiritual things, God, and desire some level of spiritual insight. Righteous Pen Publications is our spiritual imprint, publishing books that relate to spiritual matters and delve into all things that relate to God. Here are our top ten picks for our books that are a MUST READ if you want to get closer to God!

All That Is Seen And Unseen: A Journey Through The Book Of Revelation

By: Dr. Lee Ann B. Marino, Ph.D., D.Min., D.D.

Paperback: 306 pages

Publisher: Righteous Pen Publications (June 15, 2015)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1940197279

ISBN-13: 978-1940197272

Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.7 x 9 inches

Available in paperback and electronic book format

THE book of Revelation is one of the most talked about books in history, and also one of the most misunderstood. There are a variety of ways Revelation is understood: some believe it is historical, with the whole of its contents fulfilled; some believe it is all about futuristic events that have not yet happened, but are soon coming; some believe it has happened in part, and the rest is yet to come; and the rest of people fully well acknowledge that they have no idea what the book of Revelation is about. Many avoid it in teaching, and feel that if it is not a long dramatic recitation of events, it has no relevance in our world today. Who is right? In the “right fight” of Revelation, there is one very important aspect that many readers and scholars alike ignore, and that is the principle of the church’s participation in prophecy and prophetic history. Drawing on historical apocalyptic trends of the early centuries of Christianity, the obvious symbolism present, and the imagery contained therein, Dr. Lee Ann B. Marino attempts to give the reader a different view of the book of Revelation: One that opens up the reader of Revelation to all that is seen and unseen. Rather than seeing Revelation as an encoding to plug in modern-day headlines, Dr. Marino looks at Revelation from a mystical and revelatory perspective, viewing the church and the role of the church as central to history, from now until Jesus returns, and beyond. This gives all of us as readers hope and inspiration as we see ourselves not as pawns in a struggle, but participants in the history of creation, all that is seen and unseen: past, present, and future; that which was, that which is, and that which is to come.

PRAYER is an essential part of the Christian’s walk with God. Our conversation with God is our very lifeline to eternity as well as our perseverance through the trials and tribulations of this life. Through prayer, we realize just how much God is at work for us, in our lives through the flow of His Grace. Yet it is amazing to realize how intimidating prayer can be. Where do we start? What do we say? How long should we take? In this beautiful devotional work, Veronica M. Downing offers prayer and meditation for the believer for 30 days. Offering essential focus on important areas such as change, love, pruning, fear, financial help, and more, this book offers readers introduction to prayer that can help them develop a deeper prayer life, going boldly before God’s throne without fear. Here you will find days of power, days of prayer, and a true place full of days of grace.

THE Song of Solomon is uncommon reading material in today’s church. Many are uncomfortable with its contents, and many others readily admit they have never read it. Why are we avoiding the book? In treating the Song of Solomon with such discomfort, what are we, as a church, missing out on? The Song of Solomon is about many things: relationships, men, women, freedom in relationships, love, marriage, sex, sensuality and, believe it or not, our relationship with God. Above all, the Song of Solomon has much to offer on the topic of intimacy and intimate dynamics, ways in which we, as people, interact with one another in loving, committed relationships. Tackling the complicated prose of the book, Dr. Lee Ann B. Marino, Ph.D., D.Min., D.D. explores the incredible beauty God intends us to find in intimate relationships, and why these relationships start with a balanced perspective of our needed intimacy with God. By looking at the depth of this book, the depth of interpersonal relationships, and the depth of our relationship and love for God, learn the proper reading for this important book – and what it has to teach every single person, whether single, married, divorced, and set apart for the Lord.

Forgive Me, Father…For I Have Sinned…And Sinned…And Sinned Again!: A 30-Day Devotional To Help You “Get Over!”

(Company Best-Seller)

By: Veronica M. Downing

Paperback: 134 pages

Publisher: Righteous Pen Publications (October 31, 2015)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1940197317

ISBN-13: 978-1940197319

Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.3 x 8 inches

Available in paperback and electronic book format

WE try to do better. We try to get it right, this time around. We try to make it work, yet again…and then we sin, and sin, and sin…all over again. We feel the discouragement, disappointment, and failure, when we fall into sin. We’ve also all been there…time and time again. How can we break out of what seems to be a hopeless cycle of sin, especially when we want to do better by God? If you’ve got the right heart and the right spiritual attitude, all it takes is 30 days! In this book, author Veronica M. Downing takes you, one day at a time, into a place of victory. By following these devotions, you will find needed encouragement to overcome sin and walk in a deeper way with God. By healing your relationship with Him, gain profound insight into Bible experiences and your own to “get over” these hurdles and celebrate the excitement of overcoming in Christ.

From Tragedy To Triumph: ‘The Accident’…A Drama In Real Life Journey To Recovery

By: Cecile Jo Higginbotham

Paperback: 170 pages

Publisher: Righteous Pen Publications; 1 edition (December 10, 2013)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1940197023

ISBN-13: 978-1940197029

Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.4 x 9 inches

Available in paperback

YOU are faced with the greatest fear of your life. Most will never have to endure a test of this magnitude. From that fateful moment in December to her complete recovery years later, author C.J. Higginbotham takes you through her ordeal day by day. On a back country road which was not heavily traveled, horribly and severely injured in an automobile accident. She sustained multiple massive injuries and was not expected to live. Enduring 11 1/2 hours of reconstructive surgery, on a ventilator in ICU, weeks in critical condition, 2 months in the hospital and unable to walk for nearly a year. She overcame debilitating permanent injuries, drug addiction, homelessness, hopelessness and fear. Through her faith and trust in God, which carried her through it all. Take ‘a walk back in time’ with this author as she details her triumph through the tremendous odds against her, both physical and emotional, and how she victoriously overcame them all. Through her faith and trust in God, she knows brought her through the ‘most’ intense battle of her Christian life and walk with Christ. “From Tragedy To Triumph” is surely a book most needed for those whose faith and belief in God and the miraculous healing power of prayer is weak!

MANIFESTING the fruit of the Spirit is an essential aspect of the believer’s life. Jesus calls us to not only produce fruit, but produce more excellent fruit. How can we do this, and how can we operate in the principle of spiritual fruit? How do we recognize it in our lives? In Fruit Of The Vine: Study And Commentary On The Fruit Of The Spirit, Dr. Lee Ann B. Marino invites the reader to learn more about what it means to bear “fruit,” specifically the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. Presented with detailed word studies, background information, humor, warmth, and a whole lot of reflections on what it means to be in the vine and live a spiritually fruitful life, this book will change how you view the fruit of the Spirit and developing its important characteristics in your life.

Ministry School Boot Camp: Training For Ministry, Appointments And Beyond

(Best-selling book by our company)

By: Dr. Lee Ann B. Marino, Ph.D., D.Min., D.D.

Paperback: 152 pages

Publisher: Righteous Pen Publications (January 24, 2014)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 194019704X

ISBN-13: 978-1940197043

Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.4 x 9 inches

Available in paperback and electronic book format

ALTAR work. Nursery. Cleaning the church. Hospitality ministry. Community outreach. Do you still see helps ministries in the church? Do you believe they are important? In days gone by, helps ministries was the first avenue of church service required for anyone who felt they had a ministry call. While some found their niche in helps, others went on to do incredible things within the ministry, having that solid, purposed foundation, recognizing service as the key to ministry work. With modern trends pushing toward leadership, the ministries of helps have all but disappeared in favor of premature promotion and adaptation of offices and titles many do not properly understand. What are we missing in ministry today? In Ministry School Boot Camp: Training For Helps Ministries, Appointments, And Beyond, Apostle Dr. Lee Ann B. Marino, Ph.D., D.D. takes the participant through the meaningful and vital role helps ministries play in the function of the church. Learn about the various appointment ministries, assistants, volunteers, protocol, dress, and assignments – and their importance – all while learning the proper way to interact as a minister coming up under the work of helps. Whether you are working toward a greater ministry call or find your greatest joys in the various helps ministries, this book sets the participant on the straight and narrow of the forgotten art of church service.

The Next Step Up: Not Just Another 30-Day Devotional!

By: Veronica M. Downing

Paperback: 142 pages

Publisher: Righteous Pen Publications

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1940197325

ISBN-13: 978-1940197326

Will be available in paperback and electronic book format

ARE you ready to take that next step of faith? Moving forward in God is something we often talk about and encourage each other to do, but it seems like somewhere in the process, we often get off track and stay where we are. What is holding you back from taking your next step up to reach your ultimate victory? Sometimes we shrink back because are afraid, or feel unworthy, or because we don’t have the right information to move forward, but God is there, waiting and cheering you on, to come up higher with Him.

Your victory awaits, but God is waiting for you to take that next step! Make the commitment to come along for 30 days and gain the knowledge, insight, and devotional power to take your next steps up with God. In this second volume of her devotional series (meant to follow the book, Forgive Me, Father…For I Have Sinned…And Sinned…And Sinned Again!), author Veronica Downing guides the readers of her book with gentleness, insight, a little humor, and strength through many of the toughest issues that believers face and confront in modern times. Read along to step up views and concepts about the existence of God, attending church, drunkenness, tattoos, same-sex marriage, celebrating holidays, communion, and more! So some on out, put on your best pair of shoes, and for the next 30 days, let’s step up together.

Available for purchase February 15, 2016.

Touching The Church In Eternity: A Journey Through The Book Of Ephesians

By: Dr. Lee Ann B. Marino, Ph.D., D.Min., D.D.

Paperback: 180 pages

Publisher: Righteous Pen Publications

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1940197368

ISBN-13: 978-1940197364

Will be available in paperback and electronic book format

WHEN you think of the word “church,” what do you think of? Does church look like a nice, neat white building on the corner? Is it gathering every Sunday for a service? Is it more trendy, with the buzz of electric music and a casual atmosphere? Is it from the traditional years of high church experiences, complete with formal choirs and liturgical robes? If we do a survey of what “church” means to different people, we will, most likely, come up with many different answers. Seldom do we ever step back and consider, what is church in the eyes of God – especially in the eyes of eternity?

Often we look around at the church and take special note of the people who are misrepresenting what church is supposed to be about. If we don’t look at the church with right eyes, it is easy to look around and feel discouraged, as if the church is progressively falling apart. The truth about the church, however, is that it is never falling apart. Despite the best-laid attempts to destroy it, the church is an eternal entity, something that has been within God’s plan since the very beginning. As we, too, have become a part of God’s plan through our salvation, we are also a part of the church, in relationship with God and other believers.

The entire book of Ephesians outlines the church’s purpose from beginning to end: in eternity, in membership, in grace, in the work of the apostle, in belief, in leadership, in everyday life, in marriage, and in our encounter with the world. Covering the depth of eternity from past to present to beyond, Dr. Marino delves deeply into the significance of the church for believers. A powerful read, this book will help each and every believer develop a love for the church, seeing her relevance in their everyday lives, and growing in purpose and participation of the Gospel with each moment of growth through God’s grace. Read along to see for yourself that the church is neither in ruins, nor lost, nor perishing…because she is truly beautiful, adorned by God for His purpose.

Available for purchase February 25, 2016.

With Lovingkindness Have I Drawn Thee: Foundations To Transform Evangelism Into Discipleship

By: Dr. Lee Ann B. Marino, Ph.D., D.Min., D.D.

Paperback: 234 pages

Publisher: Righteous Pen Publications (August 30, 2014)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1940197120

ISBN-13: 978-1940197128

Available in paperback and electronic book format

The call to share with others about the work of Jesus Christ, His life, and salvation promise is central to the Christian message. The Bible tells us that the word “Gospel” means “good news,” and we are to share this message of “good news” with the world. God loves you! God is with you! God wants you to join with Him for eternity! With a message like this, it would seem like everyone would want to receive it…right? One would think that with such an awesome message to carry, the Christian community would desire to represent it well and with joy. So why are evangelistic efforts so frequently thwarted? The general consensus of the non-Christian world is that Christians are judgmental, hypocritical, unchristlike, narrow-minded, and uneducated…and can we honestly say they are wrong? What can Christianity learn from the unsaved about their witness? For far too many years, the Christian community has allowed politics, fads, and errant base theory to negatively affect the way in which they witness to the world. In With Lovingkindness Have I Drawn Thee: Foundations To Transform Evangelism Into Discipleship, Dr. Lee Ann B. Marino, Ph.D., D.D. examines several hot-button points in the evangelistic arena and how we, as Christians, need to change ourselves and our perspectives on the way we view others and ourselves so we can transform the world. Based in observations through years of ministry, training other leaders in effective evangelism methods, and extensive discussion with the non-believing community about things that they dislike about Christians, Dr. Marino has provided a foundation for us to set others on the path not just to salvation, but discipleship for life.

The Truth About Psychics: What’s Real, What’s Not, And How To Tell The Difference

By: Sylvia Browne (with Lindsay Harrison)

Hardcover: 411 pages

Publisher: Thorndike Press; Lrg edition (April 2, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1410424073

ISBN-13: 978-1410424075

Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches

I’ll start by saying that I was never the biggest fan of Sylvia Browne (1936-2013) when she was alive. I used to keep track of her predictions, particularly the ones that related to world events or to celebrities, and she had a horrible track record. I remember her accuracy being somewhere in the area of about 10%, which made me wonder why anyone would seek her out, let alone pay her tremendous amounts of money, for readings. Then when I found out she had her own Gnostic-based church, I really wondered what the draw was to her. I get that we are all curious about the paranormal and all, but to actually sit up under a woman who claims to have a “gift” that renders her inaccurate just seemed…well…unwise.

Alas, when I came across her book, The Truth About Psychics, I only bought it because it was a Bargain Book and I thought it might give me some insight into spirits that I was seeking to learn about. As a Christian minister, I find Christian books about spirits and witchcraft all have the same tone: they are trying so hard to make something seem spiritually wrong, they start giving out exaggerated or incorrect information that can be easily proven false. So, when I want to learn more about spiritual activity, particularly in the realm of witchcraft, demonology, or “alternative powers,” I try to read sources that are more about information than prevention. This helps me to better identify things I see in ministry, especially when they are different or manifest differently from what our often untrained experts tell us they are.

The book itself presents some interesting insights into the afterlife as is viewed in the major world religions. She also breaks down different forms of divination in a way that anyone who desires to learn more about it can understand. That’s about all I have to say about the book that is positive. The book itself really isn’t about psychics, but about the entire expanse of New Age paranormal studies, including past life regression, the modern history of the paranormal movement, and different tricks of the trade, but very little of it really focuses on psychics themselves. It also is very clearly written from the personal perspective of Browne herself, and is very opinionated based on her own personal revelations of these matters, rather than fact-based, on issues that pertain to the paranormal. For example, she adamantly opposes Ouija boards, feeling they invite any type of spirit into one’s life, but she is very much in favor of tarot cards. If Ouija boards can invite spirits, why does she think that tarot cards, or divining methods, or reading tea leaves, or even crystal balls are not door openers to the spirit world in a questionable way? Her inconsistencies in perspective as well as slanting of facts from her own clearly biased perspective make the book a huge disappointment.

I give the book one star, as the information on the afterlife and divination methods are decent and easy to understand. The book overall, however, just doesn’t measure up. If you are looking for a book on how psychics operate, don’t let the title fool you. This book isn’t it.

Literary magazine featuring the best in writing, poetry, short stories, books, and publishing. Published by Lee Ann and Veronica's Publishing, an imprint of Righteous Pen Publications. Feature interview: Aaron Joy, a Do-It-Yourself author from Portland, Maine.